1. Novocontrol Alpha Analyzers Fundamentals
Dirk Wilmer
Novocontrol Technologies

2. Novocontrol Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
Top-class impedance analyzers with test interfaces for various applications
Reliable sample environment for various temperature ranges and pressure variation
Turnkey Dielectric and Impedance Spectrometers
Software for instrument control, automation, and data analysis
Sample cells for a large variety of applications

3. Principle of measurement Voltage
Current harmonic base wave Fourier transform over n periods
Permittivity
Conductivity
d electrode spacing, A electrode area

4. Impedance Measurement Requirements for Dielectric Measurements
Broad frequency range
Wide impedance range
Small loss factors tan(d) = e’’ / e’ = Zs’ / Zs’’
Sample is in first order approximation a capacitor
Capacitive impedance Z = j / (wC) Relaxation usually adds small changes in Z DC conductivity adds parallel resistance

5. Parallel Representations: Same Voltage in Re, Im
Admittance
Parallel Imp.
Serial Representations: Same Current in Re, Im
Serial Imp.
Loss Factor

6. Requirement
Impedance Range
Typical dielectric sample
e’ C0 = 100 pF
tan(d) =

7. Alpha-A modular measurement system

8. Impedance analyzer system highlights
Broad frequency range 3 µHz MHz (> 13 decades)
Ultra wide impedance range Ω (18 decades) covers range from conductors to best isolators in a single instrument set-up
Ultra wide capacity range F allows broadband measurement of smallest capacities down to 1 fF. 
High phase accuracy ( °) and loss factor tan(δ) absolute accuracy (3.10-5) for low loss dielectric materials and isolators broadband characterization.
Supports non-linear Dielectric, Conductivity and Impedance Spectroscopy or gain phase measurements in combination with all test interfaces.

9. Measurement examples Alpha total impedance range
Typical results covering 18 orders of magnitude dynamics

10. Impedance analyzer system highlights
High speed measurements for online monitoring of time-dependent processes in the 5 ms range (with Option F)
Automatic self calibration and diagnosis by user compensates long term internal drift and verifies functionality.
Precision digital frequency response analyzer up to 40 MHz for two channel gain phase measurements with 0.001° phase - and 10-5 in amplitude resolution included. Operates like a broadband lockin amplifier with two channels, extended accuracy and frequency range.
Optional control WinDETA software for turnkey calibration, operation, data evaluation, 2- and 3- dimensional graphical representation including non linear spectroscopy.

11. Alpha-A: impedance measurements up to 40 MHz
Alpha-AT+ZG4
RC network standard test sample
New Alpha-A signal generator
Improved calibration procedures
40 MHz also available for ZG2 and ZGS
RC network measurement Alpha-AT+ZG4 now operates up to 40 MHz! Scanned copy to be inserted.

12. Higher harmonics
k = 1: first harmonic
(or base wave)

13. HVB 4000: new high voltage test interface for the Alpha-A modular measurement system
Dielectrics, semiconductors or electronic components at high AC and/or DC voltages for
non-linear dielectric / impedance spectroscopy;
characterization of materials or components under stress;
extremely high impedance samples exceeding 1014 Ω.
Materials measurements: Novocontrol High Voltage Sample Cell
Earlier products: - HVB 300 (3 µHz to 1 MHz, 300 Vpp AC and/or DC) - HVB 1000 (3 µHz to 10 kHz, 1000 Vpp AC and/or DC)

14. HVB 4000: new high voltage test interface for the Alpha-A modular measurement system
Frequency:  3 µHz kHz (9.5 decades)   
Impedance: 1kΩ .. 2·1015 Ω (12 decades)   
Capacitance:   1 fF F (13 decades)    
Loss factor tan(δ):
AC signal out: 30 mV Vp, 2.7 mA max   
DC bias out: VDC VDC,  mA max   
Output impedance: 750 kΩ   
Voltage in: max. ± 2000 Vp dc coupled

15. Electrochemical Impedance Measurements (EIS)
Defined DC Voltage / Current referred to a third (differential) reference electrode
Potentiostat/Galvanostat function for defined cell DC polarization
DC measurement
Superimposed AC voltage / current for impedance measurement
Classical applications Interface polarization Intrinsic electrolyte conductivity RC Layer structures
Phase accuracy, impedance range not as critical as for dielectric measurements?
Additional applications: Ion conductivity, relaxation, sensors, fuel cells

16. POT/GAL: electrochemical test interfaces for the Alpha-A modular measurement system
Reliable impedance measurements up to 1 MHz
Very wide impedance range: 10-4 W up to 1013 W
Variable output resistance
Sample protection:high-power counter electrode signal output supports fast voltage and current limiters independent of the main control loop. Both voltage and current limits continuously adjustable and operate simultaneously in both potentiostat and galvanostat mode.
Two models: 30 V/2 A and 15 V/10 A
POT/GAL advantages

17. POT/GAL: electrochemical test interfaces for the Alpha-A modular measurement system
4 channel 24 bit digitizer for simultaneous dc signal measurements of the counter-, two reference- and the working electrodes.
High accuracy working electrode current input converter with reference technique for accurate measurement of both strong conductors and insulators.
Non-linear EIS by higher harmonic measurements both on instrument and WinDETA application software level.
POT/GAL advantages

18. POT/GAL: electrochemical test interfaces for the Alpha-A modular measurement system
Automatic dc level shifters at the working and reference electrodes inputs compensate dc voltage and current offsets in order to accurately measure the small superimposed ac signals for EIS.
Supports real-time measurements by up to 150 impedance data points / second (option) and voltage current data points / second in time domain mode.
POT/GAL advantages

19. An important competitor: specification
No high-impedance measurements
Limited phase and tan(d) resolution
Limited usability at f>10 kHz
Compare specifications of 1287 and POT/GAL system here

20. POT/GAL: electrochemical test interfaces for the Alpha-A modular measurement system
4-wire impedance mode accuracy
Compare specifications of 1287 and POT/GAL system here